The Institution of Christian Religion

For what (I beseech you) is it else to govern, but so to be over them that are under thee, that thou mayest rule them by appointed order? Yet do I not altogether reject that which is spoken of the universal Providence: so that they will again grant me this, that the world is ruled by God, not only because he maintaineth the order of nature which himself hath set, but also because he hath a peculiar care of every one of his works. True it is that all sorts of things are moved by a secret instinct of nature, as if they did obey the eternal commandment of God, and that that which God hath ones determined doth of it self proceed forward. And hereunto may it be applied which Christ sayeth, that he and his father were even from the beginning alway working.¹ And that which Paul teacheth that in him we live, are moved & have our being, and that which the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, meaning to prove the Godhead of Christ sayeth, that by his mighty commandment all things are sustained. But they do wrong which by this colour do hide & darken the special Providence, which is confirmed by so certain & plain testimonies of Scripture, that it is marvel that any man could doubt of it. And surely they themselves that draw the same veil which I speak of to hide it, are compelled by way of correction to add, that many things are don by the peculiar care of god, but then they do wrongfully restrain the same only to peculiar doings. Wherefore we must prove that God doth so give heed to the government of the successes of all things, and that they all do so proceed from his determined counsel that nothing happeneth by chance.

For what (I beseche you) is it els to gouerne, but so to be ouer them that are vnder thee, that thou mayest rule them by appointed order? Yet do I not altogether reiect that which is spokē of the vniuersall Prouidence: so that they will agayne graunte me this, that the world is ruled by God, not onely because he mainteineth the order of nature whiche himselfe hath set, but also because he hath a peculiar care of euery one of hys workes. Trew it is that al sortes of things are moued by a secret instinct of nature, as if they did obey the eternal commaundement of God, and that that which God hath ones determyned doth of it selfe procede forwarde. And hereunto may yt be applied which Christ sayeth, that he and his father were euen from the beginning alway workyng.¹